Parents are terrified their children will be bitten by the rodents, while residents have closed their windows as they fear for their own safety.

Locals are even too afraid to go out at night and some even avoid lifting the lid of their wheelie bins over the fear of lurking rats.

The huge rodents, which have been seen in County Down in Northern Ireland, measure up to nine inches long.

Rya Stavley said: "Quite clearly there is a plague of rats this part of town."

While Lynsey Hagan said: "It sends shivers up my spine".

She said: "Some of use are afraid to go out at night and hearing rats scratching at bins is a regular occurrence.

DOWN RECORDER

The rats are the same size as cats

"It sends shivers up my spine when I hear it. Children play at the rear of the a number of houses and we have to keep a close eye on them."

Local Councillor Billy Walker said he spotted one the size of a "small cat".

He added: "And another jumped over the shoulder of a woman when she opened her bin.

"I am miffed as to why there are so many rats, particularly with so many cats running around."

Newry, Mourne and Down Council have advised residents to clear pet food from outside their homes and avoid putting out bird food close to their bins.

A statement added: "Investigations are ongoing into the increased numbers of rats in the area, in particular to Dibney River, which is a natural habitat for rodents and runs at the rear of the development."